UAEssentials | Restaurant Review
Pizza with panache
If you're tired of ordering the same less-than-stellar pizzas, Sarpino's is a better - and healthier - option
- By Jay Hilotin, Chief Reporter
- Published: 00:00 July 22, 2010
- Image Credit: Abedl-Krim Kallouche/XPRESS
Most people think pizza is junk food. But if you consider fresh hand-kneaded dough from wholewheat flour, low-fat mozzarella cheese and garden fresh vegetables, then you might re-think this most basic form of seasoned Mediterranean flatbread.
Changing hearts and minds about this Italian staple is one of the missions of Sarpino's Pizzeria, which recently opened a branch at Arabian Courtyard Hotel on Al Fahidi Street (near Dubai Museum).
How it all began...
It's a little curious that this Italian food house was founded in British Columbia by a Canadian gourmet aficionado.
In 1999, its founder Gerry Koutougos did some homework to find out what was missing from Italian food. Koutougos, already then the name behind Canada's 2-for-1- Pizza chain which has 98 outlets today, took time off and visited the Italian countryside.
That's when he discovered a small, secluded family restaurant run by an elderly local woman named Sarpina. Gerry was so enamoured by Sarpina's food that he volunteered to work two weeks for free as an assistant in the old woman's kitchen.
It took two more years before Sarpino's Pizzeria was founded [in 2001], slotting in the secrets he learnt during that fortnight. Since then, Sarpino's International Inc has established over 100 franchise outlets in Australia, Canada, China, Greece, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Syria, US and Vietnam - and now in Dubai.
At Sarpino's, the ingredients, décor details and localisation are key components.
The cheese (from Naples) is up to 30 per cent more expensive than regular mozzarella, but without the elasticity (which indicates the fat), said Merrick Gonsalves, Sarpino's business development manager.
Dubai branch
The décor and livery - from the lumber beams to the brick walls - give the Dubai branch an authentic Italian ambience.
The outlet offers a full range of Sarpino's selections, right from appetisers and baked casseroles (try green curry chicken and fettuccine), to a wide selection of pizzas (including vegetarian and shawarma-flavoured pizza) and desserts.
Affordability is not an issue. A medium-sized pesto veggie (sun-dried tomatoes, green and red peppers, fresh spinach, onions, roasted garlic, cheddar and mozzarella cheese and pesto sauce), costs Dh25 and serves two. Extra large pizza costs Dh45. The dough and pizzas are prepared before customers' eyes.
The wide selection of beverages includes "mocktails", fruit punches, smoothies and juices.
Home delivery is available within Bur Dubai area, initially. Contact: 04-508 7508.
Upside: A wide variety of pastas, pizzas, chicken wings, salads, cheese bread, garlic bread and desserts. Reasonable prices.
Downside: Getting there since it's located in the busy heart of old Bur Dubai (valet parking available)
